2017 Club Stars shortlist revealed

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NomineesMike Finnerty

THIRTEEN players from Mayo senior football champions Castlebar Mitchels have been nominated for The Mayo News/O’Neills Club Stars ‘Team of the Year’.The final XV will be revealed at the thirteenth annual Club Stars banquet – in association with AIB – which will be held on Friday, January 19 next at Knockranny House Hotel, Westport.All proceeds from this year’s event will be donated to Enable Ireland’s Mayo services.

After their historic three-in-a-row of Mayo SFC titles in 2017, it’s no surprise that Mitchels dominate the list of nominees. Seven players from beaten finalists Ballintubber have also been nominated for a Club Star award, which honours those players who have performed with distinction during the 2017 Mayo club championship.A total of twelve clubs are represented among the nominees. Senior semi-finalists Garrymore and Claremorris, along with beaten quarter-finalists Knockmore, Ballina, Breaffy and Hollymount/Carramore are all featured.Four players from this year’s Mayo Intermediate Championship have also been nominated as ‘wild cards’ with two from champions Moy Davitts and one each from Kiltimagh and Islandeady.This year’s ‘Team of the Year’ nominees were selected by former Charlestown and Mayo footballer, John Casey, ex-Knockmore manager Eamon Clarke, and Mayo News GAA writers Seán Rice and Austin Garvin.Their Team of the Year selection will not be revealed until the night of the banquet.Senior champions Castlebar Mitchels dominate the nominees list with Mayo panelists Donie Newcombe, Paddy Durcan, Barry Moran and Danny Kirby joined by captain Rory Byrne, Johnny Maughan, Ger McDonagh, Ray O’Malley, Eoghan O’Reilly, James Durcan, Cian Costello, David Stenson and Neil Douglas.Mayo captain Cillian O’Connor and Alan Dillon, who announced his retirement from inter-county football last week, represent Ballintubber along with Gary Loftus, Myles Kelly, Damien Coleman, Michael Plunkett and Jason Gibbons.A good year for beaten semi-finalists Garrymore is acknowledged with Jamie Oates, Trevor and Shane Nally, Mark Tierney and Jimmy Killeen all nominated.Claremorris also have five nominees with Alvin McCallig, Stephen Brennan, James McCormack, David O’Reilly and James Shaughnessy all shortlisted.Ballina are represented by Ger Cafferkey and Ciaran Treacy, Knockmore have Kevin McLoughlin and Peter Naughton in the frame, with Robert Molloy and Kevin Feerick flying the flag for Hollymount/Carramore.Aghamore’s Alan Freeman, the third highest scorer in the Mayo SFC, has also been nominated along with Breaffy’s Conor O’Shea.Intermediate champions Moy Davitts were rewarded for their fine season with nods for goalkeeper Chris McGlynn and attacker Brian Reape, while Kiltimagh’s Liam Lydon and Islandeady’s Seamie Lally are also in the mix.